Andromeda - Perseus Coming to her Rescue

A full figure nude female (part swathed in pink and white drapes) is shackled at her ankles and arms to a rock beside the sea. She throws her gaze skywards. This painting shows Perseus appearing in the background on a white horse, possibly Pegasus. The sea monster is at Andromeda’s feet ready to attack her.

A later version of this painting is in the City Art Gallery, Manchester.

Andromeda was betrothed to Agenor, but he was slain by Perseus. She was chained to a rock to be eaten by a sea monster after her mother boasted that Andromeda was more beautiful that the nereids, but was rescued by Perseus who married her. After her death Athena transformed her into a constellation. Perseus killed Medusa and turned Atlas into stone. He was probably killed by Megapenthes.

Purchased with assistance from the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund, 1972